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A Patient's Guide to Quadriceps Tendonitis
the patella is called the quadriceps mechanism. Though we think of it as a single device,
the quadriceps mechanism has two separate
tendons, the quadriceps tendon on top of the
patella and the patellar tendon below the
patella.
Introduction
Alignment or overuse problems of the knee
structures can lead to strain, irritation, and/
or injury of the quadriceps muscle and
tendon. This produces pain, weakness, and
swelling of the knee joint.
These problems can affect people of all
ages but the majority of patients with
overuse injuries of the knee (and specifically quadriceps tendonitis) are involved in
soccer, volleyball, or running activities.
Tightening up the quadriceps muscles places a
pull on the tendons of the quadriceps mechanism. This action causes the knee to straighten.
The patella acts like a fulcrum to increase the
force of the quadriceps muscles.
This guide will help you understand
The long bones of the femur and the tibia act
as level arms, placing force or load on the knee
joint and surrounding soft tissues. The amount
of load can be quite significant. For example,
the joint reaction forces of the lower extremity
(including the knee) are two to three times the
• what parts of the knee are affected
• how doctors diagnose the problem
• what treatment options are available
Anatomy
What is the quadriceps muscle/tendon, and
what does it do?
The patella (kneecap) is the moveable bone
on the front of the knee. This unique bone
is wrapped inside a tendon that connects the
large muscles on the front of the thigh, the
quadriceps muscles, to the lower leg bone.
The large quadriceps muscle ends in a tendon
that inserts into the tibial tubercle, a bony
bump at the top of the tibia (shin bone) just
below the patella. The tendon together with
A Patient's Guide to Quadriceps Tendonitis
body weight during walking and up to five
times the body weight when running.
Causes
How does the condition develop?
Quadriceps tendonitis occurs most often as
a result of stresses placed on the supporting
structures of the knee. Running, jumping, and
quick starts and stops contribute to this condition. Overuse injuries from sports activities
is the most common cause but anyone can be
affected – even those who do not participate in
sports or recreational activities.
There are extrinsic (outside) factors that are
linked with overuse tendon injuries of the
knee. These include inappropriate footwear,
training errors (frequency, intensity, duration),
and surface or ground (hard surface, cement)
being used for the sport or event (such as
running). Training errors are summed up by
the rule of "toos." This refers to training too
much, too far, too fast, or too long. Advancing
the training schedule forward too quickly is a
major cause of quadriceps tendonitis.
Intrinsic (internal) factors such as age, flexibility, and joint laxity are also important.
Malalignment of the foot, ankle, and leg can
play a key role in tendonitis. Flat foot position,
tracking abnormalities of the patella, rotation
of the tibia, and a leg length difference can
create increased and often uneven load on the
quadriceps mechanism. Any muscle imbalance
of the lower extremity (from the hip down to
the toes) can impact the quadriceps muscle and
affect the joint. Individuals who are overweight
may have added issues with load and muscle
imbalance leading to quadriceps tendonitis.
Strength of the patellar tendon is in direct
proportion to the number, size, and orientation of the collagen fibers that make up the
tendon. Overuse is simply a mismatch between
load or stress on the tendon and the ability
of that tendon to distribute the force. If the
forces placed on the tendon are greater than the
strength of the structure, then injury can occur.
Repeated microtrauma at the muscle tendon
junction may overcome the tendon’s ability to
heal itself. Tissue breakdown occurs triggering
an inflammatory response that leads to tendonitis and even partial tears.
Chronic quadriceps tendonitis is really a
problem called tendonosis. Inflammation is not
present. Instead, degeneration and/or scarring
of the tendon has developed. Chronic tendon
injuries are much more common in older
athletes (30 to 50 years old).
Symptoms
What does this condition feel like?
Pain from quadriceps tendonitis is felt in the
area at the bottom of the thigh, just above the
patella. The pain is most noticeable when you
move your knee. The more you move your
knee, the more tenderness develops in the area
of the tendon attachment above the kneecap.
There may be swelling in and around the
quadriceps tendon. It may be tender or very
sensitive to touch. You may feel a sense of
warmth or burning pain. The pain can be
mild or in some cases the pain can be severe
enough to keep the runner from running or
other athletes from participating in their sport.
Stiffness of the knee is common when you first
get up in the morning (or after a long period
A Patient's Guide to Quadriceps Tendonitis
of rest or inactivity), and during and after
exercise.
Diagnosis
How do doctors diagnose this problem?
Diagnosis begins with a complete history of
your knee problem followed by an examination of the knee, including the patella. There
is usually tenderness with palpation of the
inflamed tissues at the insertion of the tendon
into the bone. The knee will be assessed for
range of motion, strength, flexibility and joint
stability.
The physician will look for intrinsic and
extrinsic factors affecting the knee (especially
sudden changes in training habits). Potential
problems with lower extremity alignment are
identified. The doctor will also check to see
if the quadriceps tendon is partially torn or
ruptured. Weakness of the extensor mechanism
is a sign of such an injury.
X-rays may be ordered on the initial visit to
your doctor. An X-ray can show fractures
or the presence of calcium deposits in the
quadriceps muscle but X-rays do not show soft
tissue injuries. In these cases, other tests, such
as ultrasonography or magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI), may be suggested. Ultrasound
uses sound waves to detect tendon tears. MRIs
use magnetic waves rather than X-rays to show
the soft tissues of the body. This machine
creates pictures that look like slices of the
knee. Usually, this test is done to look for
injuries, such as tears in the quadriceps. This
test does not require any needles or special dye
and is painless.
relative rest and anti-inflammatory medications, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, especially
when the problem is coming from overuse.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) may be used for
pain control if you can’t take anti-inflammatory medications for any reason.
Relative rest is a term used to describe a
process of rest-to-recovery based on the
severity of symptoms. Pain at rest means strict
rest and a short time of immobilization in a
splint or brace is required. When pain is no
longer present at rest, then a gradual increase
in activity is allowed so long as the resting
pain doesn’t come back.
Physical therapy can help in the early stages
by decreasing pain and inflammation. Your
physical therapist may use ice massage,
electrical stimulation, and ultrasound to
limit pain and control (but not completely
prevent) swelling. Some amount of inflammatory response is needed for a good healing
response.
The therapist will prescribe stretching and
strengthening exercises to correct any muscle
imbalances. Eccentric muscle strength training
helps prevent and treat injuries that occur
when high stresses are placed on the tendon
during closed kinetic chain activities. Eccentric
contractions occur as the contracted muscle
lengthens. Closed kinetic chain activities
means the foot is planted on the floor as the
knee bends or straightens.
Nonsurgical Treatment
Flexibility exercises are often designed for the
thigh and calf muscles. Specific exercises are
used to maximize control and strength of the
quadriceps muscles. You will be shown how to
ease back into jumping or running sports using
good training techniques. Off-season strength
training of the legs, particularly the quadriceps
muscles is advised.
The initial treatment for acute quadriceps
tendonitis begins by decreasing the inflammation in the knee. Your physician may suggest
Bracing or taping the patella can help you do
exercises and activities with less pain. Most
braces for patellofemoral problems are made
Treatment
How do doctors treat the condition?
A Patient's Guide to Quadriceps Tendonitis
of soft fabric, such as cloth or neoprene. You
slide them onto your knee like a sleeve. A
small buttress pads the side of the patella to
keep it lined up within the groove of the femur.
An alternative to bracing is to tape the patella
in place. The therapist applies and adjusts the
tape over the knee to help realign the patella.
The idea is that by bracing or taping the knee,
the patella stays in better alignment within
the femoral groove. This in turn is thought to
improve the pull of the quadriceps muscle so
that the patella stays lined up in the groove.
Patients report less pain and improved function
with these forms of treatment.
Therapists also design special shoe inserts,
called orthotics, to improve knee alignment
and function of the patella. Proper footwear
for your sport is important. The therapist will
advise you in this area.
Prevention of future injuries through patient
education is a key component of the treatment
program. This is true whether conservative care or surgical intervention is required.
Modification of intrinsic and extrinsic risk
factors is essential.
Coaches, trainers, and therapists can work
together to design a training program that
allows you to continue training without irritating the tendon and surrounding tissues.
Remember to warm up and stretch before
exercise. Some experts recommend a cool
down and stretching after exercise as well.
Know your limits and don't overdo it.
Use ice after activity if indicated by pain or
swelling. Icing should be limited to no more
than 20 minutes to avoid reflex vasodilation
(increased circulation to the area to rewarm it
causing further swelling). Heat may be used in
cases of chronic tendinosis to stimulate blood
circulation and promote tissue healing.
Whenever you have to miss exercising for any
reason or when training for a specific event,
adjust your training schedule accordingly.
Avoid the "too" training errors mentioned
earlier.
Surgery
Surgery is rarely needed when a wide range of
protective measures, relative rest, ice, support,
and rehab are used. If nonsurgical treatment
fails to improve your condition, then surgery
may be suggested. Surgery is designed to
stimulate healing through revascularization
(restoring blood supply). Weak, damaged
tissue is removed and the injured tendon is
repaired. Tissue remodeling through surgery
can restore function.
Arthroscopic procedures can usually be
done on an outpatient basis. This means you
can leave the hospital the same day. If your
problem requires a more involved surgical
procedure where bone must be cut to allow
moving the quadriceps tendon attachment, you
may need to spend one or two nights in the
hospital.
Rehabilitation
What should I expect after treatment?
Nonsurgical Rehabilitation
Quadriceps tendonitis is usually self-limiting.
That means the condition will resolve with
rest, activity modification, and physical
therapy. Recurrence of the problem is common
for patients who fail to let the quadriceps
tendon recover fully before resuming training
or other aggravating activities.
Physical therapy for about four to six weeks
is usually recommended. The aim of treatment is to calm pain and inflammation, to
correct muscle imbalances, and to improve the
function of the quadriceps mechanism.
With a well-planned rehabilitation program,
most patients are able to return to their
previous level of activity without recurring
symptoms.
A Patient's Guide to Quadriceps Tendonitis
After Surgery
Many surgeons will have their patients take
part in formal physical therapy after knee
surgery for patellofemoral problems. More
involved surgeries for patellar realignment or
restorative procedures for tendon tissue require
a delay before going to therapy. And rehabilitation may be slower to allow the tendon to
heal before too much strain can be put on the
knee.
The first few physical therapy treatments are
designed to help control the pain and swelling
from the surgery. The physical therapist will
choose exercises to help improve knee motion
and to get the quadriceps muscles toned and
active again. Muscle stimulation, using electrodes over the quadriceps muscle, may be
needed at first to get the muscle moving again.
As the program evolves, more challenging
exercises are chosen to safely advance the
knee's strength and function. The key is to
get the soft tissues in balance through safe
stretching and gradual strengthening.
The physical therapist's goal is to help you
keep your pain under control, ensure you place
only a safe amount of weight on the healing
knee, and improve your strength and range of
motion. When you are well under way, regular
visits to the therapist's office will end. The
therapist will continue to be a resource, but
you will be in charge of doing your exercises
as part of an ongoing home program.